We are out across dinner time several nights a week with Girl Guides and my boys' sports. We are looking for options that do not require us buying dinner out, living on pot noodles or waiting until 9pm to try and feed cantankerous children.

I should point out that my kids are picky eaters. Soups and casseroles are not really winners. I have even tried macaroni cheese in travel mugs, but apparently the "noodles are the wrong shape". I know this is another problem that needs to be addressed, but not at the same time.

We just finished soccer season and my son wants to play basketball, but I donít have many ideas. I have the same struggle for work lunches as I drive for work and eat while I drive. Think about lunch ideas and how they could be added to for dinners.

Roll ups or wraps
Calzones
Salmon cakes (or something with a similar consistency... like a hearty pancake)

How would your kids respond if you said "we can either quit your fun activities or you can help me brainstorm portable dinners you'll actually eat?" And explain why you need them to eat portable dinners?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

__________________

Christine, INFJhigh school teacher; wife to pharmacist hubby "R" since 7.31.2010
Waiting to meet one in heaven, 8/2015
Baby KO "Lovebug" born 8/2017

I gave up "fancy" dinners out. We do turkey hoagies on our regular night out. I also use my instant pot. It has a timwe so food is ready when we return. I'll do chicken in bbq sauce, teriyaki chicken (I make the rice ahead. It's usually still warm when we are ready for it.), soup, etc. You could premake pancakes and eat with pb cold.

Roll ups or wraps
Calzones
Salmon cakes (or something with a similar consistency... like a hearty pancake)

How would your kids respond if you said "we can either quit your fun activities or you can help me brainstorm portable dinners you'll actually eat?" And explain why you need them to eat portable dinners?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If I'm reading correctly, they are 11, 9 and 7? Unless there are SN, I would say the 11yo and 9yo are capable of responding to this. The 7yo not so much.

Depending on whether these are activities that help w mental health (for u or for your children), I might add a specific timeline to solve the problem. "We may need to quit if this isn't fixed by thanksgiving. I really need your input"

__________________Jodi

Please excuse typos. I have a difficulty w proofing.

Lovin' and servin' Jesus, Married to my Soulmate
Gentle Naturally-Oriented Homeschooling Mama to 3 amazing young people

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to SonshineMama For This Useful Post:

I agree, to at least ask the older ones and get their feedback. One of my friends has her kids pack their own lunches and meals out. She has guidelines they have to follow, but that way they at least get a choice. My older two will do that (12 and 10) but I pack for the other two. It's tough, because they are all picky in their own ways and even when they choose, they don't always like their own choices when it comes time to actually eat.

Hand pies (you can make ahead in a big batch and keep in the freezer, reheat when you need them)

Muffaletta (basically a BIG pressed sandwich made from a whole loaf of bread that includes some sort of pickles)

yogurt parfaits (yogurt and fruit layered in mason jars)

spanakopita triangles

mac and cheese can be made into "muffins" by adding an egg custard - basically eggs and milk - and baking in muffins tins. You can add tasty things like bacon or sausage to entice them, or change up the cheeses. (I used to make them with leftover mac and cheese and add pureed squash/veggies to the sauce until my kids stopped eating mac and cheese.)

Cut up veggies and fruit

crackers, cheese, deli meat

anything on a stick - cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls, for instance, or even cold chicken satay

I use my crock pot and rice cooker so that food is ready when we get home if it's going to be a reasonable hour (before 7ish).

My kids will eat anything when we are out IF THEY ARE HUNGRY. I use this to my advantage and only bring healthy food. They eat it.

__________________
ENFp DYT Type 4/1 married to ISFJ DYT Type 2/?
Wife who is thankful to be in love....15 years
Homeschooling Mom of three....10 DD and 7.5 DS and new DD (July 2017) after a 5 year wait 8/2015 11/2015 9/2016
I feel blessed when I pray for you. Thankful for this community!

There are some really great ideas here. Not all of them will work for us, but even those have got my mind ticking away.

I do like the idea of needing to get it sorted by a date and getting the kids to help me. We are overloaded with activities this term (we have just moved to a different region of our city and are still doing things in our old area while we try and get established in the new), but we are planning big changes for the new year. I think they will understand that finding things to work during this term will have a significant impact on which activities are continued next year.

A variety of opinions and ideas are shared on GCM. Personal experiences, suggestions, and tips found here are in no way intended to substitute for medical counsel from a healthcare professional. Always use your own good judgement and seek professional advice when in doubt about a health concern.